Out and About!

As usual, there's always something going on during the weekends in Philly.  We pick and choose to make sure we aren't running around too much, however the past few weekends have had us busy in the very best way.  Here's what we've been up to in March.

Mary Poppins Musical with my big girls - what fun!!

Screen printing at Crane Art Studio - free art afternoon for kids.  It was fabulous!

 Hammers, Strings and Winds Concert for Kids through the Astral Artists series.  Here we are looking at how a piano key works - pretty complex!

On the beautiful grounds of Woodmere Art Museum - just before the amazing circus show!

Maple Sugaring Festival at the Wissahickon Environmental Center.  Super chilly and very tasty!  We licked sweet maple sap, tried maple sugar candy and maple syrup made from the trees around us.

Arts and Crafts

Meredith's drawings of people are changing and progressing the more she does it.  I just love watching her draw all these little people and hearing her talk about who is who.  :)  Usually there's a Mama, Daddy and a baby...sometimes someone is "sad" and she will tell me which person is going to make the sad one feel better.  Love this little growing imagination!

You'll notice she's added arms, legs, hands and feet - as well as hair! 

Look at the change from just a few weeks ago. 

And, this week we dyed Easter eggs. :)  Meredith was a bit hesitant at first, and asked several times just to eat the eggs (she loves hard boiled eggs!)...but, once we got out the dye she got into it.

friends + crafting = one happy mama

I gathered some friends for a Sunday evening crafting time in our home this weekend.  It was a delightful time of lively conversation, tea, sweets and crafting.  Everyone brought their own projects to work on - mainly crocheting or knitting.  It was so much fun, and so helpful to make time for crafting.  A huge refreshment for me, and a fun excuse to make my favorite cake (coffee walnut). :) 

40 weeks

Well...here I am, on my due date today. :)  Still a big belly and waiting.  This baby is low, head down and ready...but so far he/she is pretty comfortable and relaxed inside.  No sign of popping out yet.

So...we are ready and waiting.  

I never made it to my due date with Meredith (she was born 2 days early)

...so, this is uncharted territory for me.

To keep myself busy these last few days, I've been doing many different sewing projects.  I have another show this coming Saturday (my friend will be vending my wares for me - I hope to have a newborn in my arms!).  Here are a few photos of my latest projects.

thread sketched tea towel

 Christmas bunting in the works

Owl dolls and birdies

 woven fabric stars 

Autumn Art Projects

This week I found the box marked, "Meredith's art supplies" - woohoo!  So, we had some fun exploring creatively together. :)

We painted with watercolors.  I had seen a cool blog post about painting clothespins...so we tried it out.  And, Mer painted on paper too...as well as explore and experiment with the water/paint combo.

Wednesday morning we took a walk in between rain drops and picked up some beautiful autumn leaves.  Later that afternoon we sat down together and make autumn leaf suncatchers. :)  So fun!  This was such a great project for Meredith's level and she really got into it.

 She was so proud to show Daddy when he came home!

Art Room Tour

Saying good bye and packing up my creative space in this home is by far the toughest part of moving for me.  This little room on our 3rd floor has been a haven of creating for me this past year and I've absolutely loved it!  Having space to spread out and work on multiple projects is so fun and kind of "how I work best." :)  Here's a wee tour to show you and to celebrate this season in this space!

Erik made the wooden "ART" hanging on my door a few years ago for me

a favorite excerpt from an anthropologie magazine - pretty much sums up this space :)

One of my favorite quotes by Charlotte Mason:  Education is an atmosphere

My overflowing stash of fabric - love this little built in cupboard!

For our move, I am thankful to go through so much in this room and downsize into a more manageable/tidy stash of my most needed and used creative tools, fabrics and accessories.  It feels like spring cleaning!  I'm excited to have my own wee space in our new home to make my own and to continue creative play with fabric, paints and paper.  Maybe I'll give you a mini tour of that corner sometime in the future! :)

Flying again :)

Meredith had another flying experience (her favorite kind of traveling) this past weekend. At this point she's flown over a dozen times...all as a free traveler sitting on her Mama's or Daddy's lap. :) Soon though, that lovely flexibility (and cheap option!) will be over since her 2 year mark is just a few weeks away!

Meredith loves looking out the window during take off and landing.

inflight drawing time with Daddy

While at Granna's house, Meredith played with a little neighborhood friend, Zach who is about a year older than her. They were fast friends.

I was happy to finish my first knitting project over the weekend: a washcloth for my Mom!

28th Birthday

The Dieffenbach's graciously hosted us for my birthday celebration on Sunday. They made a fantastic meal and a cozy fire crackling away all afternoon warming our fellowship.

Erik sweetened the day with a beautiful cake from Sweet Freedom Bakery

Jenny and I made melted crayon crafts and cut out hearts to sew together hang in our windows for February.

A fuzzy shot of MJ's "nap-head." We couldn't get her to stand still - she loves to roam Adam and Jenny's home searching for any of their 4 cats. :)

Art and Craft Show

This past weekend was the annual Glenside Farmer's Market Holiday Art and Craft Show. It was bigger than ever this year with many rooms full of vendors showing their wares. We had our own spot again and Erik played fiddle throughout the day as background music. :)

I added a new baby item to my inventory: baby booties! They were a hit and I can't stop making them - each new pair gets me squealing, "they are too cute!"

Here's the whole booth. My friend made a few wreaths to add to the display and they sold really well!

It was a good show all around.

At the show I got a few custom orders to work on this week. (yay!) So, last night I stitched up another owl...and ended up making an extra owlie friend. Anyone need an owl for a Christmas gift? Let me know...